Stephanie Smith is the self-proclaimed largest cannabis landlord in California and has become a major advocate for the industry.

Police found $200,000 in cash and thousands of opioids stashed in Stephanie Smith’s house, but she has explanations

They found heaps of cash, $200,000 in all, concealed everywhere — in a green metal ammunition box hidden under a step, stuffed inside a paint can, in a shoe box, and in a Dodgers duffel bag crammed into a propane BBQ grill.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris of California seeks support at a town hall meeting in North Las Vegas.Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Joe Garofoli March 6, 2019 Updated: March 6, 2019 – 4:53 p.m.

LAS VEGAS — Even at this early stage in the presidential race, California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris has hit upon a crowd-pleasing proposal: Give a $500 monthly tax credit to families earning less than $100,000.

The California Supreme Court on Monday upheld a pension law that stripped a retirement perk from public employees, issuing a narrow ruling that sidestepped a bigger question about whether employers can reduce pension benefits for current workers.

The beaches of Maui are a popular destination for California lawmakers. (Irene Lechowitzky)

By Patrick McGreevy and Taryn Luna Mar 05, 2019 | 12:45 PM

| Sacramento

California lawmakers were showered with more than $810,000 in gifts last year, many from powerful interest groups lobbying the state who handed out concert and professional sports tickets, spa treatments, gourmet dinners and trips to a dozen countries, new state reports show.

The new sheriff, who took office in January, is on a hiring spree to make up for what he describes as his predecessor’s failings

For years, Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff said shrinking budgets imposed on him by the Board of Supervisors made it hard to put as many deputies on the street as he would have liked, particularly in unincorporated communities.

Companies who have filed suit want a light shined on the city’s four-phase selection process

Another denied applicant has sued San Bernardino over the city’s embattled commercial cannabis licensing process, calling greater attention to alleged illegal acts by those in charge of the whole operation.

A Pacific Palisades woman who heads a company that was blocked last week from setting up legitimate commercial cannabis operations in San Bernardino sued the city on Monday, Feb. 25 alleging corrupt practices involving a “pay for play” scheme.

Stephanie Smith is the self-proclaimed largest cannabis landlord in California and has become a major advocate for the industry.

As California’s self-proclaimed “cannabis landlord” sat in a Los Angeles County jail Thursday night on a drug charge, her real estate attorney stood before San Bernardino city officials trying to expand her empire.

California is expected to add 322,700 jobs this year and 318,500 next year. But the state is not building nearly enough homes to meet the demand, according to a new report.

Clouds on the horizon include transit issues and not enough housing to support all the job growth.

California’s economy is expected to add more than 300,000 jobs this year and in 2020, but that will fall well below some of the more robust growth years the state experienced over the last half-decade.

Dan Flores has worked side by side outgoing Supervisor Josie Gonzales in San Bernardino County’s 5th District for the past 14 years. Now Gonzales’ chief of staff is looking to succeed his boss when the seat opens in 2020.

Some ‘have abused the public trust by hoarding vast sums of money.’ one reformer says

California’s most affluent special districts nearly doubled their spending over the course of a decade, while the value of their cash and investments nearly tripled, according to a Southern California News Group analysis of state data.

Jessie Flores, who was inserted into the post of city manager last year by the controlling coalition of the city council as it was formerly composed, was placed on paid administrative leave by a 5-to-0 vote of the Adelanto City Council on Wednesday.

The arrivals area of the San Bernardino International Airport’s passenger terminal. Friday August 28, 2009. Rick Sforza/Staff Photographer

Nearly 4,000 jobs and millions in revenue expected within 5 years, officials say

San Bernardino International Airport and Hillwood Enterprises, LP are moving forward with plans to develop a massive air cargo logistics center at the airport that would house up to 16 aircraft and provide round-the-clock operations.

Jim Brulte, chairman of the California Republican Party and a former GOP leader in the state Senate and Assembly.

Party struggled in the former San Bernardino lawmaker’s six years at helm, but he’s credited with rebuilding the party organization

Not that he’s counting down his days to freedom or anything, but Jim Brulte seemed keenly aware that the end of his time as California Republican Party chairman was 11 days away — not 10, not an even dozen — as he sat for an interview Thursday at his house in Fontana.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon was sitting in the audience Wednesday during a joint meeting of the Major County Sheriffs of America and Major Cities Chief Association in Washington DC when the speaker surprised the sheriff by calling him to the front.

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman welcomes attendees to the State of the County 2019 Regional Business Summit at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. (Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

County and business leaders touted the region as a fast-growing, innovative place to live and work during the State of the County 2019 regional business summit Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

Gov. Gavin Newsom pledges to scale back high-speed rail and twin-tunnels projects in State of the State speech

By Phil Willon and Taryn Luna Feb 12, 2019 | 5:40 PM

Sacramento —

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in his first State of the State speech that he intends to scale back California’s $77-billion bullet train project, saying that while the state has the capacity to complete the first leg in the Central Valley, extending the rail line to Southern California and the Bay Area would “cost too much and, respectfully, take too long.”

Redlands police have arrested a former high school drama teacher on suspicion of having sex with two underage students and possession of child pornography, making him the third former teacher in the school district to be charged with sexual abuse in the past five years.

Now that I finally have some time to do some writing on politics, let’s get to it!

I prefer to render political observations after taking in data from a broad spectrum of sources and feedback. Two years ago it had become pretty clear to me in the final four weeks leading up to the presidential Election that Donald Trump would prevail.

Former San Bernardino County Assessor and former county supervisor Bill Postmus listens to his attorney Jeffrey Lawrence (not pictured) during a sentencing and motion hearing at the San Bernardino Justice Center in San Bernardino on Friday, November 2, 2018. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

The battle by former San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus to rescind his guilty plea in the Colonies corruption case began Friday with Postmus testifying he was a drug addict when he was coerced into accepting a deal with prosecutors.

For Chris Mann, the June primary results in California’s 8th Congressional District played out perfectly, when two GOP candidates, incumbent Paul Cook and challenger Tim Donnelly, finished first and second.

A state agency that enforces professional standards for California educators is investigating Redlands Unified School District for a series of sexual abuse cases that has resulted in more than $21.7 million in legal settlements, according to an attorney representing several victims.

Bill Manis, is expected to become Upland’s new city manager. Manis served as San Bernardino’s deputy city manager between 2014 and 2016. (Staff file photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

For the first time in 63 years, San Bernardino council members will receive a pay raise. The City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 19, approved increasing city leaders’ salaries from $600 to $14,000 a year beginning next year, aligning their total annual compensation package with those offered in neighboring cities.

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy violated the Fourth Amendment rights of a group of Etiwanda Intermediate students when he arrested them because he thought they were uncooperative in a bullying investigation, a federal appeals court ruled Monday, Sept. 10.

Armed, plain-clothes LAPD officers were dispatched to California cities outside of Los Angeles at least a dozen times to provide security for U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris at public events, media appearances, and a party.

The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that interest rates on consumer loans can be “unconscionably” high and therefore illegal.

By James Rufus Koren Aug 13, 2018 | 4:00 PM

California’s high court has ruled that interest rates on consumer loans can be so high that they become “unconscionable” and, therefore, illegal — a decision that could call into question the validity of millions of loans and upend the state’s subprime lending market.

John Dino DeFazio waits in the hallway of San Bernardino County Courthouse on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

High Desert real estate developer and former Colonies corruption case figure John Dino Defazio has filed claims against San Bernardino County and District Attorney Mike Ramos seeking $20 million in damages, alleging malicious prosecution for perjury charges that were dismissed by a judge in January.

Mark Kirk, 36, director, governmental relations, county Office of Legislative Affairs; former chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt, listens to testimony during an arraignment hearing in a San Bernardino Superior Courtroom August 19, 2011. (File photo)

Vindicated public corruption figure Mark Kirk on Monday sued San Bernardino County and District Attorney Mike Ramos in federal court for $40 million, alleging malicious prosecution in perhaps the biggest and most expensive prosecutorial fiasco in county history.

Proponents of the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco high-speed rail line hope that erecting part of the line now will make future governors less likely to abandon the project. A viaduct in Fresno, Calif., is intended to carry the line over a freeway. (Credit: Jim Wilson/The New York Times)

By Adam Nagourney July 30, 2018

In the face of sharp opposition and questions about how to pay for it, construction of California’s high-speed rail line is roaring ahead.

FRESNO, Calif. — It is vigorously opposed by Republicans, including President Trump. It has been plagued by escalating costs and delays. Californians are mostly against it. And a central question — how is it going to be paid for — remains unresolved.

Former Superior Court Judge and Ontario politico Gus Skropos is making waves, threats, or signals, depending on how one wants to interpret it, that he might run yet again for a seat on the Ontario City Council.

Consumer spending propelled U.S. economic growth to a 4.1% pace in the second quarter, the fastest since 2014, letting President Donald Trump claim a win for his policies even though most analysts see the high as temporary.

Pornographic images of an underage Redlands High School student, seized from teacher Kevin Kirkland, were never examined by police before prosecutors negotiated a plea deal that allowed him to go free the day he was sentenced for sexually abusing four students, the Southern California News Group has learned.

San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Michael Scarpello said he was forced to resign Thursday, July 19.

The head of the San Bernardino County elections office is out with about 110 days to go until the November election, but not before raising concerns about what he said was the county’s aging voter system, potential cybersecurity issues related to the office’s website and lack of staff.

In response to community protest, the city and an Upland developer have backed off their initial proposal to swap the Cabrillo Park soccer fields for a new sports complex in north Upland.brillo Soccer Fields

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. speaks during a press conference at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino on Thursday, July 12, 2018. Jackson, and other civil rights leaders are calling for the disbarment of San Bernardino County prosecutor Michael Selyem after his social media rants has put him in the spotlight. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Rev. Jesse Jackson called Thursday for the disbarment of San Bernardino County’s top gang prosecutor over vulgar, racist and sexist comments on social media that targeted, among others, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, former first lady Michelle Obama and someone shot by police.

San Bernardino District Attorney Mike Ramos discusses the discriminatory comments posted online by San Bernardino County prosecutor Michael Selyem during a press conference in San Bernardino on Monday, July 9, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

SAN BERNARDINO — A top gang prosecutor at the center of a political firestorm over a series of offensive social media posts has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an administrative investigation.

Critics of the Cadiz Water Project in San Bernardino County’s Mojave Desert have spared no bit of innuendo, propaganda, administrative interference, and plain old lies in a flailing effort to stop the project from providing clean, renewable water to 100,000 households in Southern California.

In late June a judge in two cases ruled against the proposed 3,600-house Harmony Development saying the city improperly defined the project and failed to properly analyze or mitigate downstream flooding impacts, and more.

Michael Selyem, the lead hard-core gang prosecutor in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, is under internal investigation for a series of offensive posts on social media accounts that have now been deleted. (Staff photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/The Sun/SCNG)

A rendering of the next phase of San Bernardino’s Arrowhead Grove project shows the affording housing complex from Crestview Avenue. (Rendering courtesy of the city of San Bernardino)

San Bernardino received $20 million from the state’s Strategic Growth Council on Thursday, June 28, for the development of affordable housing and market-rate units at Arrowhead Grove, a complex replacing the troubled Waterman Gardens.

It seems that well-know Los Angeles Attorney Stephen Larson, a former U.S. District Court Judge, who has made a name for himself in intellectual property and criminal white collar cases, has expanded his legal field of expertise.

A local developer has somehow achieved an unimaginable re-zoning of property in Adelanto, California, a city in the midst of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Former Citrus Valley High teacher Laura Whitehurst awaits a hearing in 2013 in Superior Court in San Bernardino. Laura Whitehurst was convicted of having sex with several students who attended the Redlands school. She had a baby with one of the students. (Photo by Kurt Miller, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A top Redlands Unified School District official attempted to destroy evidence and obstructed the 2013 criminal investigation of a former teacher convicted of sexually abusing students, according to sworn statements and police reports supporting allegations in eight pending lawsuits against the district.

Stephanie Smith helps canvas for signatures, for a San Bernardino ballot initiative, with Alexander Navarrette in the Verdemont neighborhood of San Bernardino, CA., Friday, May 18, 2018. (Staff photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, The Sun/SCNG)

A political action committee in Colton led by cannabis activist and real estate developer Stephanie Smith has submitted more than 2,800 signatures from registered voters who favor the regulation and taxation of commercial cannabis in their city, according to the committee’s attorney.

In this Jan. 10, 2018, file photo, people rally outside of the Supreme Court in opposition to Ohio’s voter roll purges in Washington. The Supreme Court is allowing Ohio to clean up its voting rolls by targeting people who haven’t cast ballots in a while. The justices are rejecting, by a 5-4 vote on June 11, 2018, arguments that the practice violates a federal law that was intended to increase the ranks of registered voters.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

WASHINGTON — States can target people who haven’t cast ballots in a while in efforts to purge their voting rolls, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in a case that has drawn wide attention amid stark partisan divisions and the approach of the 2018 elections.

Jim Erwin smiling during a September court hearing he will not be re-tried on any charges regarding the Colonies corruption case, Friday, at San Bernardino Justice Center in San Bernardino, Ca., September 22, 2017. Judge Michael A. Smith dismissed all of the remaining counts against the former assistant county assessor and sheriff’s labor union president. (John Valenzuela/The Sun/SCNG)

A former county official who escaped conviction in the Colonies corruption case has filed a $25 million federal lawsuit accusing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and other prosecutors of malicious prosecution, fabricated evidence and retaliation.

Candidate Jason Anderson, for San Bernardino County District Attorney, celebrates an early lead, as election results started coming in Tuesday, with friends and family at his home in Upland, CA., Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (Staff photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher, The Sun/SCNG)

After 16 years, San Bernardino County has a new District Attorney – former prosecutor-turned criminal defense attorney Jason Anderson, whose narrow victory over incumbent Mike Ramos in Tuesday’s primary means he will assume office in January.

Voters in at least three California counties appeared to have rejected district attorney candidates funded by a liberal consortium that includes New York billionaire George Soros and other wealthy political donors. (Francois Mori / Associated Press)

By Abbie VanSickle and Paige St. John Jun 06, 2018 | 9:55 PM

Big spending by George Soros and liberal groups fails to sway D.A. races in California

As they poured millions of dollars into district attorney campaigns, New York billionaire George Soros and other liberal donors seemed poised for victory in California.

District Attorney Mike Ramos straightens his tie before a press conference for Operation Desert Guardian on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Operation Desert Guardian, conducted in the High Desert by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, began on Friday, June 2, 2017. Throughout the Operation deputies seized multiple firearms, drugs, and made several arrests in the cities of Victorville, Adelanto, Apple Valley, and Hesperia. (Sarah Alvarado fo The Sun)

On June 5, voters in San Bernardino County will head to the polls and decide whether to re-elect District Attorney Michael Ramos to his fifth term or replace him with challenger Jason Anderson, a former prosecutor in Ramos’ office who specialized in putting away child sex offenders. Anderson has also practiced law as a criminal defense attorney.